The Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch shows a slight slowdown in small business job growth in September, while wages continue at a solid pace of growth. The Small Business Jobs Index stands at 99.93, down 0.03 percent from the previous month. The national index has remained relatively flat since June. At $26.03 in September, hourly earnings gained 2.96 percent ($0.75) from a year ago, equal to the pace set in August and slightly below July’s 2.99 percent growth rate.

Lisa Fleming

Lisa Fleming joined Paychex in 2006 and last year was promoted to the position of public relations manager. As part of her role, Lisa leads the department’s external communications efforts and manages the company’s relationship with its outside PR agency partner, Eric Mower & Associates. Lisa is a graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, New York where she studied English and Communications.